The United Kingdom based International Hydro Power Association would be volunteering its expertise for exploitation of entire identified hydro potential available in Himachal Pradesh. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, in a meeting with high level delegation led by Dr. Rafaat Abdel Malek, President, International Hydro Power Association, United Kingdom here today. He was accompanied by Shri Indra Mohan, President, India Tech Foundation.
Chief Minister informed them that the State had identified over 23,000 MW hydel potential in the state out of which only 25 percent had been exploited so far. He said that a number of projects were under execution in different parts of the state and by the end of 12th Plan, the State would enhance its capacity to 17,000 MW. He said that efforts were afoot to exploit the entire identified hydel potential at the earliest possible. He said that Himachal had the biggest, 1500 MW capacity, Nathpa Jhakri hydel power project, besides 1000 MW Karchham Wangtoo, 800 MW Kol Dam, Parbati, Rampur, Luhri and Chamera Projects were under at the advanced stage of execution. He said that the State would welcome collaboration and expertise from the International Hydro Power Association not only to expeditiously exploit the remaining hydel potential but also explore possibilities of constructing more projects in the State to ensure optimum utilization of the hydel potential available .Prof. Dhumal said that the State was adopting transparent method of allotment of the hydro power projects. The mini and micro projects upto the capacity of 2 MW were exclusively reserved for young Himachali entrepreneurs who were being given preference in the projects with capacity upto 5 MW while projects of above 5 MW capacity were advertised for open global bidding and any entrepreneur or company from any part of the world was welcome to bid for any of the projects in the State. He said that the State would welcome International Hydro Power generation companies to undertake execution of some of the major projects in the State for optimum utilization of the available hydel potential. He said that the State Government would also be extending all possible help to such entrepreneurs who could complete the projects within minimum possible period of time. He said that the State was poised to emerge as the Power State in the country by generating clean and green energy and by adopting measures to preserve the ecology. He said that alternate energy resources were also being identified to supplement the hydro power sector.